The 2008 Primaries

One of the most competitive primary seasons in US history came to an effective end on June 3, 2008 when Senator Barak Obama clinched the Democratic nomination for President. He became the first African-American to run for President from a major party. Both the Democratic and Republicans races had large field, as this was the first time in half a century when there was no President ofrVice President from either party running to be nominated for the Presidency.  The Democrats had seven candidates while the Republicans had six. Senator Obama began his campaign as a long shot candidate, with Senator Hilary Clinton the presumptive nominee.  That ended in the first contest when Senator Obama won the Iowa caucus.  Senator Clinton rebounded with a victory in New Hampshire.   A long campaign followed in which Obama won more delegates and states, but Clinton won most of the largest states.  Obama’s campaign raised much larger sums of money then the Clinton campaign, and was initially very successful in getting out his message of change.  After a string of victories that followed Super Tuesday Obama seemed unstoppable.  Clinton won most of the later contests but was unable to overcome Obama’s lead in delegates.  

 In the very early Republican campaign Senator McCain had the lead, only to see his campaign run out of money by the end of the summer of 2007.  Senator McCain placed most of his efforts in winning the New Hampshire primary.  Governor Huckabee surprised many by winning the Iowa caucus,  but Senator McCain's strategy of  concentrating on Iowa bare fruits when he won a resounding victory there.  McCain won another victory in South Carolina soon making him the front-runner despite the fact that the Republican establishment was supporting Governor Romeny at the time.  Mayor Giuliani of New York had been the early leader in the polls, but his risky strategy of not competing in the early primaries failed.  When the Florida primary took place, the first that he was competing in, he lost decisively to McCain.  McCain clinched the nomination of Super Tuesday winning both New York and California.

 In the very early Republican campaign Senator McCain had the lead, only to see his campaign run out of money by the end of the summer of 2007. Senator McCain placed most of his efforts in winning the New Hampshire primary. Governor Huckabee surprised many by winning the Iowa caucus, but Senator McCain's strategy of concentrating on Iowa bare fruits when he won a resounding victory there. McCain won another victory in South Carolina soon making him the front runner despite the fact that the Republican establishment was supporting Governor Romeny at the time. Mayor Guiliani of New York had been the early leader in the polls, but his risky strategy of not competing in the early primaries failed. When the Florida primary took place, the first that he was competng in, he lost decisively to McCain. McCain clinched the nomination of Super Tuesday winning both New York and California.